Nick Saban explains how Georgia's recent success impacts Alabama

For years, Alabama has been the consistently dominant program in the SEC. However, in recent seasons, Georgia has matched the Crimson Tide’s success, winning two national championships in a row. That, in turn, has led to questions about how Alabama is going to respond on the field.

During an appearance on Get Up, Alabama head coach Nick Saban explained how all of Georgia’s recent success is going to actually impact Alabama.

“Well, I think it’s very challenging. I think Kirby’s done a really great job there. Georgia has really great players. They have a really good team. We’ve had several really good matchups with them in the last few years and they’re going to continue to be a good team”

Kirby Smart took over as the head coach at Georgia in 2016. He started out 0-4 against his mentor, Nick Saban. That included two SEC Championship Game losses and another loss in the College Football Playoff for a national championship. Finally, Smart and Georgia beat Saban and Alabama in the 2021-22 championship game in Indianapolis.

However, Alabama and Georgia won’t play each other head-to-head during the 2023 regular season. If they’re going to be able to play, it will have to be in the SEC Championship Game or in the College Football Playoff.

“I think it’s a challenging opportunity for us to be able to try to get our team in a position that would maybe have an opportunity to play them again and see what happens from there,” Saban said. “But, there’s a lot of football to be played for us between now and then, and a lot of people have to develop and our team needs to be able to come together to have a chance to do that.”

What motivates Nick Saban in his 70s

Now in his 70s, there have been some questions about what is still fueling Nick Saban’s fire. After all, he has nothing that he needs to prove on the field, so what is still motivating him?

As Saban explained, it’s about his mindset for each individual season.

“I think, the way I look at it is every season is like a new challenge, so this season is like having a new team, taking a new job,” started Saban.

“You’ve got older guys who have experience that need to become leaders. You have younger guys who you know, need to develop in the program so that they can contribute in a positive way. You’ve got new coaches that, which you’re trying to get on the same page. You’ve got great competition, in terms of the teams that you have to play. The coaches that they have, the players that they have. So it’s just a great challenge, every year.”